In Fontanelle di Montichiari, in the province of Brescia, stands the diocesan “Mystical Rose, Mother of the Church” shrine. A center of intense spirituality that attracts countless pilgrims every year. In its simplicity, this place of prayer encourages reflection and peace of heart.
Origin of the veneration of Mary, Mystical Rose, Mother of the Church
The origin of the veneration of the Virgin at the “Mystical Rose, Mother of the Church” shrine is directly connected to Pierina Gilli, who received the gift of several apparitions of Mary from 1944 to 1966; the Beautiful Lady asked her to be invoked under the title “Mystical Rose and Mother of the Church.”
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith began studying the phenomenon in 2013, analyzing the records drawn up in the diocese from 1947 to 1949. The second phase of the investigation began in 2018 and is still ongoing. The study conducted to date has found great spiritual richness in Pierina's mystical experience.
The Church has not yet officially ruled on the apparitions to Pierina Gilli, but the “Mystical Rose, Mother of the Church” shrine has been erected as a diocesan place of worship.
Three roses on her chest
When you go to Montichiari, you immediately notice that the statue of the Virgin has a distinctive feature: three roses on her chest. This is how Pierina says she saw the Mother of Jesus: dressed in white, with a white and gold mantle, and three roses on her chest.
The Beautiful Lady explains to her that the white rose indicates the spirit of prayer to which many consecrated souls must dedicate themselves, so that no vocation may be betrayed.
The red rose evokes the spirit of sacrifice to which other souls must dedicate themselves, so that reparation may be made for the offenses the Lord receives from consecrated persons living in mortal sin.
The yellow rose, with golden reflections, indicates the spirit of penance to which one must dedicate oneself in order to make reparation for the betrayals the Lord receives from priests.
The significant dates and the core of the message
In the two cycles of apparitions she says she experienced, Pierina reports Mary's words, in which a particular devotion is found. Here is what the Beautiful Lady asks and the significant dates linked to her message:
1. The 13th of every month - a date linked to the apparitions at Fatima - should be the Marian day for which one prepares with twelve days of prayer. Mary, Mystical Rose, asks for confession of sins, participation in Holy Mass, Communion, recitation of the Rosary, and one hour of Eucharistic adoration. This day should be used to make reparation for the offenses the Lord receives from consecrated persons.
2. Sunday in Albis (the Sunday after Easter) is the anniversary of Mary Rosa Mystica’s arrival in Fontanelle, where she blessed the water, manifesting the Lord’s mercy.
3. Every year, July 13 should be celebrated in honor of Mary Rosa Mystica, especially in institutes of consecrated life.
4. Every year, October 13 (the second Sunday of the month) should be sanctified with reparatory Holy Communion preceded by Confession. The message speaks of a “World Union of Reparatory Holy Communion.” Under this name, prayer groups or associations may be formed.
5. Every year, on December 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the universal Hour of Grace should be observed at 12:00: «Through this practice - the Most Holy Virgin promises - numerous spiritual and bodily graces will be obtained.» It should be observed in church by adoring the Blessed Sacrament, if possible; otherwise, privately or in prayer groups.
6. Go to the blessed Spring (located in Fontanelle di Montichiari) in procession with penitential prayers. The sick should be brought there, as should those who have spiritual needs or carry the needs of their loved ones in their hearts.
7. The three roses remain fundamental to devotion to Mary Rosa Mystica: white, red, and gold, symbolizing prayer, sacrifice, and penance. The Virgin asks us to pray faithfully for consecrated persons: for their conversion and for an increase in the number of religious and priestly vocations.
8. Other important elements of the messages are reparation for offenses against the sacrament of the Eucharist, against the name of God and of Jesus, against the privileges of Mary, against the Church and the Pope, against the innocence of the little ones and the simple, against the sacredness of life and the holiness of the family.
A special Rosary
Mary Rosa Mystica, Mother of the Church, asked us to pray and, in particular, to recite the Rosary. Thus arose the idea of a Rosary that, with its three initial roses - white, red, and yellow - would recall the Virgin’s fundamental message so that everyone may always follow the paths of goodness.
In this sanctuary, may Mary Rosa Mystica, Mother of the Church, see us all as pilgrims on the beautiful path of the Gospel!
A THOUGHT FOR YOU
